On June 23, 2018, 24-year-old Cahoone N. Littlejohn was at the FavTrip gas station located at 10507 East 23rd Street in Independence, Missouri, when he became involved in a fatal altercation. The incident reportedly began in the parking lot around 2:00 p.m., sparked by a near-collision. Littlejohn was backing up his vehicle and almost struck 19-year-old Marc A.
Barron, a pedestrian who was walking toward the store’s entrance.
Surveillance footage and witness accounts detailed a rapidly escalating confrontation. After the car nearly hit him, Barron slapped the rear of the vehicle with his hand. Littlejohn then moved his car to the west side of the lot while Barron entered the convenience store to make a purchase. Witnesses noted that Barron appeared calm while inside, but the dispute resumed when he exited the store and headed back toward the gas pumps. Littlejohn allegedly told Barron never to touch his car again, and the verbal argument turned physical when Littlejohn punched Barron in the face, knocking out one of his teeth.
In response to the punch, Barron stumbled backward and drew a. 40-caliber handgun from his waistband. Upon seeing the weapon, Littlejohn reportedly said 'Whoa' and attempted to retreat. Barron opened fire, striking Littlejohn as he tried to run away. The gunman continued to pursue Littlejohn around the vehicle, firing multiple rounds. Investigators later recovered 13 shell casings at the scene, and Littlejohn was struck at least three times before collapsing in the parking lot, where he was pronounced dead.
Following the shooting, Barron ran back inside the gas station, placed the handgun on the counter, and waited for law enforcement to arrive. He allegedly told those present that he believed he was acting in self-defense and feared Littlejohn would retrieve a weapon, though no weapon was found on the victim. Police took Barron into custody at the scene without further incident. A check of the firearm revealed it had been reported stolen out of Kansas. Marc A. Barron was subsequently charged by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
